FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – On Friday, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in Sri Lanka began the trading day with a positive trend, as indicated by the latest data. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) increased by 0.17 percent, gaining 36.48 points to reach 20,917.38. The more active S&P SL20 index also saw a slight rise of 0.03 percent, which equated to 1.87 points, bringing its total to 5,903.52.
Among the stocks that contributed positively to the ASPI, Citizens Development Business Finance recorded a notable increase of 5.45 percent, reaching 34.80 rupees. Other significant gainers included Richard Pieris and Company, which rose by 3.85 percent to 27.00 rupees, Sri Lanka Telecom, up 3.34 percent at 86.70 rupees, and Ceylon Cold Stores, which increased by 1.05 percent to 120.50 rupees.
Conversely, several stocks experienced declines, with LOLC Holdings falling by 1.58 percent to 436.00 rupees and Colombo Dockyard decreasing by 2.24 percent to 120.00 rupees. Other declining stocks included Overseas Realty (Ceylon), down 0.19 percent to 51.90 rupees, and Hayleys, which dropped by 0.67 percent to 227.00 rupees.
The overall market turnover reached 149.92 million rupees, with the banking sector leading the way, generating 68.98 million rupees.
Lanka Walltiles announced plans to raise 5.01 billion rupees through a rights issue, offering 128,470,588 ordinary voting shares at a price of 39 rupees each, in a ratio of 8 for 17. Following this rights issue, the company intends to merge with its wholly owned subsidiary, Vallibel Plantation Management Limited, pending the successful completion of a solvency test.
Pan Asia Banking Corporation revealed that its recent debenture issue aimed at raising 5 billion rupees was oversubscribed, attracting applications for over 50 million debentures. The issuance officially closed at 4:30 pm on October 1, and further details regarding the allotment will be communicated to the CSE in due course.
In a significant rating update, Fitch Ratings has upgraded the Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings of the state-owned Bank of Ceylon from ‘CCC+’ to ‘B-’, maintaining a Stable Outlook. Additionally, the agency raised the bank’s Viability Rating to ‘b-’ from ‘ccc+’ and improved its Short-Term Issuer Default Rating from ‘C’ to ‘B’.
Lastly, the rated, unsecured, senior redeemable debentures of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC are set to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange on Friday, with offerings available in five-year and seven-year tenors. This follows a successful debenture issuance launched in September, which saw oversubscription on its first day, aiming to raise up to 5 billion rupees. (Colombo/Oct02/2026)
